A/A* Booster Session #3 – Line of Argument

This session is focused on the skills of both AO Q and AO3 and reaching top band focus and flow marks. It will be using an example of “Discuss the Social Learning Approach within Psychology” (16marks). The skills discussed, however, relate to any aspect of extended writing. Due to the nature of holistic marking in a 96mark paper it is impossible to say the actual marks/grades these would get, instead this reference the ‘typical’ writing style of someone who will achieve that grade overall.

Essay Plan

Instead of focusing on three extracts this time we took the essay plan below and tried to write it in different orders to see what effect it had on flow. We discussed the important for A* grades at seeing in implied conclusion and deciding on that before planning the essay.

Social Learning Theory

Line of Argument: SLT is the best theory for explaining human behaviour? SLT gives us little in terms of practical application? SLT has been able to explain behaviours no other approach can despite its flaws?

AO1(1)

General Assumptions of a mixture of learning through behaviourism and cognitive.

AO3

Point (strength that it employs scientific and reliable methods)

Because (Bandura’s Bobo was a lab experiment with high levels of control replicated many times with similar results )

So What? (It allows us to establish a stong cause and effect link)

However? (This control leads to artificiality such as lack of mundane realism in modelling the beating of a Bobo doll which could lead to demand characteristics)